Belgium’s temporary employment sector recorded a fall of 4.08% in October 2024 compared to the same period a year ago, according to the latest calendar-basis adjusted data from Federgon, the Belgian federation of staffing agencies.

The 4.08% decrease was an improvement over September’s annual decline of 4.54%.

October’s decline was due to a decrease in activity of 3.93% in the white-collar segment and a fall of 4.18% in the blue-collar segment.

Federgon’s data also found that in October 2024, the number of hours worked in temporary agency work decreased slightly by 0.06% compared to the previous month (based on figures adjusted for seasonal and calendar influences).

This slight decrease is attributable to an increase in the number of hours worked in the white-collar segment by 0.73% and a decrease in the blue-collar segment by 0.62%.

The Federgon index stood at 88.68 points in October 2024, compared to 88.73 points the previous month. The index reflects the level of activity in the month under review compared to activity in January 2007 (base 100), based on seasonally adjusted figures.

Paul Verschueren, director of research & economic affairs at Federgon, said in a press release, “A mix of supply and demand factors continue to create difficult market conditions for the temporary agency work sector. Although activity seems to be stabilising somewhat at the level of previous months, there is still a 4% decline year-on-year.”

In the Flanders region, October 2024 data showed a year-on-year decline of 5.25%.

Wallonia saw a 0.36% decrease in October 2024 when compared to October 2023.

Meanwhile, Brussels saw a fall of 6.75% in October 2024.